Sohpie Michele Dreifuss Urbana, Illinois Obituary

Sohpie Michele Dreifuss

<p><br> Sophie was the beloved wife of Dr. Genghmun Eng for almost 44 years and a well-loved mother of two grown children. &nbsp;She was a woman of science, compassion, and strength. &nbsp;She earned a Master's of Science in Geology, in May of 1977, from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, where Gengh and Sophie first met. &nbsp;She then worked for 2 years at Texaco, New Orleans, before moving to California. &nbsp;She became one of first women to become a California Certified Engineering Geologist (CEG #1156), earning her license in 1982, and then working for over 35 years as a CEG and as a member of the Association of Engineering Geologists (AEG), analyzing ground conditions to mitigate damage to homes from Southern California earthquakes. &nbsp;In between her Engineering Geology work, she was also very active in the local community, helping to stop a gigantic 75 oil-well project from invading the neighborhood, and helping to stop a Criminal Rehabilitation Center from replacing the local Middle-School. &nbsp;She also helped many individual family and friends when she could. &nbsp;For nearly a decade she visited the local elementary school as a guest teacher, giving yearly "Rock Talks” to interest young children about the different kinds of rocks and minerals that can be found all over the world. &nbsp;She hoped that these "Rock Talks” would inspire a new generation of young Geologists. &nbsp;These talks were so well liked that she became known as the “Rock Lady”. &nbsp;Children would ask their teachers when the “Rock Lady” was going to come back to give another presentation. &nbsp;When she wasn’t marveling at geology, she would often relax by being a prolific hobbyist crafter. &nbsp; She hand-crocheted over 500 butterfly and flower magnets, raising more than $2500 for the 'Blue Star Mothers of America'. &nbsp;She also created 4 boxes each year that were filled with her custom handmade Barbie-Doll Clothes. &nbsp;For over a decade, these boxes were annually donated to 'Cheer for Children' for girls hospitalized over Christmas at the nearby UCLA Hospital. &nbsp;She also became the Photographer and Historian for the 'Yarn Angels of South Bay' (YASB) craft group in Los Angeles. &nbsp;During the first months of the global COVID pandemic, she made hundreds of cloth Face-masks for First Responders as part of the YASB response to the pandemic-induced mask shortage. &nbsp;She also improved the YASB design of 'Port-a-Cath Pillows' and 'Chemo-Infuser Bags', which eased the lives of people undergoing chemotherapy, making and donating many of them over the years, until she was recently and sadly diagnosed with cancer; and then needed one herself. &nbsp;With a lifelong dedication to Earth Sciences, she wanted her physical body returned to Earth. &nbsp;In Spirit, she was a hummingbird with a melodic voice; a butterfly whose time here was too short. &nbsp;She was strong and cheerful to the end, a Saint whose Soul, as they say, "Was Goin' to Heaven with Shoes On.". &nbsp;She departed this world with a smile on her face. &nbsp;Watch over us, Dearest Sophie.<br> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<br> A small family Memorial Service is planned for around noon on Spring Solstice, March 20, 2023, at Leek &amp; Sons, 1215 W. Bradley Ave., Urbana, IL 60801; (217) 337-5335 </p>
October 11, 1951 - February 19, 202310/11/195102/19/2023
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Andre Bondi
March 17, 2023
Designer's Choice Bouquet

Designer's Choice Bouquet was purchased for the family of Sohpie Michele Dreifuss. Send flowers

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Andre Bondi
March 16, 2023
I give thanks for the memory of a fun, lifelong, loyal, and steadfast friend. I knew her for over 50 years. She was kind, highly perceptive, and lively. I will mis her.
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Guest
March 16, 2023
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The staff at Leek & Sons Funeral Home - Urbana Champaign Chapel-Urbana Champaign Chapel
March 16, 2023
We plant this tree as a living memorial to Sohpie. We are deeply sorry for your loss.
Memorial Tree

Memorial Tree was purchased for the family of Sohpie Michele Dreifuss. Send flowers